Essays: First Series by Ralph Waldo Emerson Essay 8 Page 5

Is to begin to live. It is to end

An old, stale, weary work, and to commence

A newer and a better.

‘Tis to leave Deceitful knaves for the society

Of gods and goodness. Thou thyself must part

At last from all thy garlands, pleasures, triumphs,

And prove thy fortitude what then ‘t will do.

Val. But art not grieved nor vexed to leave thy life thus?

Soph. Why should I grieve or vex for being sent

To them I ever loved best? Now I’ll kneel,